Cathi's CD Reviews 9-27-09
Carr, Barbara – “Savvy Woman” (CDS Records) C+St Louis singer Carr has been around a long time – toiling hard in obscurity and even recording a few unremarked records for Chess. After many years, she adopted the brassy belter role a la KoKo Taylor and Denise LaSalle, which earned her some popularity – enough to quit her day job of 20 years. She has never quite struck the hot spot though. This disc hints of her vocal prowess and is bolstered by her producer’s attempt to set her in full R & B regalia. She starts to stretch a little when she does some shouting (#3) and nice female backups give some tunes soulful depth. Still, this is a disc that seems a shadow in the closet of missed opportunities.
Collins, Harry – “Taste This” (Independent) B-
Billing himself as a “southern soul, R & B artist” Collins jumps right in with a smooth love song and holds it right there in the Barry White groove…maybe not so funky. This is late night wine and seduction stuff. “I got that feeling—that you want it tonight” kinda thing. It’s a one-trick pony but with a couple glasses of wine…maybe.
Nice voice, not a lot of variety. Will fit with morning mixes though – if you don’t mind waking up to sexual innuendo.
Kalb, Danny – “I’m Gonna Live the Life I Sing About” (Sojourn Rec.) B-
A real old-timer – guitarist Kalb formed the “Blues Project” band back in the Butterfield days and clearly had a big attraction to the guitar rambles of current guitar gymnasts along with the feel of the urban blues. His playing Is adept although for my money he plays too many unnecessary notes just because he can. His singing is not great – and most of the album are his renditions of well worn covers. Not terribly recommended, although I give him respect for his obvious life-long guitar love of the blues.
Lost Country – “When We Danced” (Cool Groove Records) B-
Texas survivors of a popular country rock band and others from a blues jump combo formed a band of boomer + musicians to play music they both enjoyed. Texas two-step tunes, mingle with male/female vocal harmonies, slide guitars, accordion and a focus on dancin’ music give this disc a good country dance hall feel. It’s full of unstable vocals and a few tunes they might better have left alone (smile), but it’s got a good old-timer get-together feel.
posted by Cathi N @ 6:15:00 AM
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